Hey folks! Hope you are all well. I have been incredibly busy for the last few months but now I’m slowing down. Last Tuesday was a lot of fun playing at Detroit Bar; thanks to all of you who came! We took it easy, kept it relaxed and simple. I know it was past a lot of bedtimes so thanks for making it out! Thanks to all of my friends from Mariners for your love and support; you are family and I’m glad we got to hang that night.

The next day I started a session at 10am, then went to work on a new tune in the studio with Jim, then played at Villains Tavern that evening. When I arrived at Villains I was ready for the same thing that had happened the time before; prompt Texas guy (me) waiting for late sound guy, ready to not fit in at this Gothic-Bavarian-Beer-Garden venue, ready for something to get changed last-minute. Sure enough, the owner comes to me and says, “We’re pushing you back to 9pm; we’re having a giant JENGA tournament first. You still only have to play until 11pm, unless you see that the crowd likes you and you want to play longer.” I’m used to this kind of thing so I shrugged it off, moved the equipment I’d already set up and decided to sign up for the giant JENGA tournament. I had no idea it would be so much fun! Dan, a local comedian, hosted the tournament and everyone involved had a blast! I didn’t win but it was pretty unexpectedly rad.

I started my set after the tournament, mixing originals and covers depending on how bored/enthused the audience was. I finished at 11pm and then introduced myself to a few folks who just meandered in. Turns out CBS was doing a TV shoot around the way and many of them had come over for a drink and to listen to the music. I met Willow, Suzie, Doug and Maggie, to name a few, and they were awesome folks! I sat down and had a drink with them, then Willow told me he had to have some Michael Jackson. I played a little longer, then a little longer turned into me playing until 12:45am because we were all having so much fun. I was EXHAUSTED from singing the night before, from singing all day and night, but that night those folks reminded me again of why I do what I do. To my CBS peeps I met that night, thanks for giving me a great reason to stay late.

Upcoming show: THIS Saturday, March 24 at Hotel Cafe. Red Parade Showcase: Jesse Thomas at 9pm, The Young Romans (CD Release!) at 10pm, Kingvolt at 11pm. This will be an incredible night so don’t miss it!

Also, I’ve picked the winners of the free tickets to the show on Saturday. Check your email and respond asap!

Now I’m off to go watch another episode of Breaking Bad. See you guys on Saturday!

Kingvolt

Hey folks! Hope you guys are all doing well. Welcome to those new to the newsletter, welcome back to all who are regulars! Just a reminder that I’ll be playing tomorrow night at Detroit Bar at 10:30pm in Costa Mesa. Doors open at 9pm and joining me that night will be The Young Romans and Early Dolphin! I’ll also be playing at Villains Tavern in LA on Wednesday night at 9pm.

So things have been pretty busy as of late; I’ve been working every day for the last month and I’m ready for a break! Last Saturday I played a last-minute gig for the Sunset & Savor at the Surf & Sand in Laguna Beach and had a blast. I played mostly cover tunes, some original, and did a bit of live looping to keep myself entertained while people enjoyed their wine. I met a few really cool people, especially a family from San Antonio (holla native Texans!). The folks at Surf & Sand are incredibly accommodating and professional so I’m glad I’ll be there before too long.

I played at Mariners Huntington Beach campus this past Sunday and discovered that some of my newfound musician friends there were a part of some of my favorite underground bands growing up. My friends from high school, brothers Matt and Ben, exposed me to a lot of underground music and now, years later, I am meeting some of the band members and making music with them. How rad is that? Bands like Blindside, Joy Electric, Starflyer 59, The Prayer Chain, to name a few…

I am approaching my first anniversary with my wife in a few days and I am really excited! It has flown by so quickly that I can hardly believe it’s already here. It’s been a wonderfully challenging learning process, learning to love my best friend in a sacrificial way (not in a Hollywood, consumerism-based love). My wife is my best friend and confidant; if I had to do it all over, I’d pick her every time.

In other, non-marriage-related news, put March 24th on your calendars: Jesse Thomas has a residency at Hotel Cafe starting that night, and we will be doing a Red Parade showcase that evening! Jesse, The Young Romans and myself will all be playing our latest and favorite material that night, so don’t miss it!

So, this is what has been going on in my world. Drop me a line, tell me what’s been going on with you.

Kingvolt

Hey folks, just wanted to let you know that I won’t be playing at the I ART U DTLA art walk this Thursday; got word from the booking agent that there was a mixup on the schedule. I hope to be playing there in April though, I’ll send details as they come.

Last night Chris Barron, Walter and I played some Kingvoltage at Mariners church after one of the Naked Truth series sessions. So much fun! Carol Asali sat in on a tune and everybody seemed to have a great time. I love playing with those guys, and we were all missing Corey on bass!

Last week I sang an updated version of Simple Minds’ “Don’t You Forget About Me” for the TV show “Breaking In,” although I have no clue when it airs. Tomorrow I’m laying vocals for a Spanish-sung version of Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes.” Should be rad! Brushing up on my Spanish skills right now…

I appreciate you guys. Thanks for giving me someone to write to while my wife watches Bethenny Frankel (and I listen in, secretly interested, smelling slightly of estrogen). Much love to all of you.

Kingvolt

Hey folks! Last weekend at Riverpointe for the 2012 Creative Dreams fundraiser was a blast!! To those who came, thank you for your support! I loved being back to play with my friends in the band too. When I lived in Houston I got to play with Kris, Nolan, Dan and Tyson very frequently, however, never all at the same time! And how about the kids dancing then coming up to sing “We Are the Champions?!” Too much fun. I met some of those kids a few years back and it is amazing to see how much they’ve grown up. Great organization, purpose and especially, great people.

For those that are new to the newsletter, be sure to check out the new Kingvolt EP here: http://kingvoltmusic.com/store/

Also, be sure to Like the Facebook fan page here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kingvolt/318542108158148

and my YouTube page here: http://www.youtube.com/kingvoltmusic

I’ve got some shows coming up but I’ll send info in another post. Hope you are all well!

Kingvolt

Hey everybody, new and old fans alike! So things have been really exciting for our label lately. Jesse Thomas’ record “War Dancer” is currently #11 on the iTunes top Singer/Songwriter albums, above greats like Simon & Garfunkel and just behind James Taylor! All of us at Red Parade are so proud! She is having her album release THIS Friday, February 24th at 7pm. I’ll be singing one song with her, “Fire,” which I also recorded with her.

As for Kingvolt shows, this Sunday is the Creative Dreams Fundraiser in Houston! I am SO excited for this. I’ll be playing with some of my favorite musicians at Riverpointe church in Richmond, TX at 7pm. You can read more about this in the shows section on the site. Please come join us for a a great cause and a killer rock concert!

And for more upcoming shows, put these on your calendar:

- March 9th: I ART U DTLA art walk. Join me to see some amazing art and hear me rolling acoustic style. Check it out here: http://iartudtla.com/
- March 13th: Detroit Bar. I’m pushing to get Jesse Thomas and the Young Romans to play with me that night…fingers crossed. We could pack that place out with a Red Parade triple threat Tour de Force! Check out Detroit Bar here: http://detroitbar.com/
- March 14th: Villains Tavern in downtown LA. I’ll be rolling acoustic style again. Check it out here: http://www.villainstavern.com/Home/VT.html

I’m working on more shows in the Orange County area so everyone in the SoCal area doesn’t have to drive so far all the time! I’ll be working on more videos soon, so stay tuned. Thank you so much for your support, your encouragement, for your attention in the ADD world.

Kingvolt

Happy Valentine’s Day! Hope all of you are getting some time to spend with your loved ones. Wanted to share a new video with you guys! Check out “Bad Boy” below…

Also I’ll be playing an acoustic show this Friday night at Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles at 9pm! Come join me!

JJ

Hey folks! Had a request for some covers and here’s the first. Thanks to LeAnn for the suggestion! Keep em coming. Have a great weekend!

JJ

Hey everybody! Just wanted to shoot you a quick note to let you know that I’ll be performing at the 2012 Creative Dreams Fundraiser in Houston! It will be on February 26th at 7pm, at Riverpointe Community Church in Richmond, TX. Tickets are $20. The concert will include both live and silent auctions, coffee and snacks, as well as a performance from the kids at Creative Dreams! Come join us for a great cause and a lot of fun!

Creative Dreams is a really awesome after-school program for kids that don’t have a lot of money but are interested in the arts; the people at Creative Dreams will teach them music, art and dance lessons free of charge! I played there a few times when I lived in Houston; great program, fantastic kids and awesome staff. The kids come from an assortment of backgrounds but they all have at least two things in common; a love for the arts and a desire to learn. The staff at Creative Dreams work hard not only to teach, but to give the kids a positive outlet to express themselves. What the kids may lack in finances they make for in spades in knowledge, creativity, expression, camaraderie and friendship. You can purchase tickets to the show as well as read more about Creative Dreams here: www.creativedoc.org.

Jackie Stouffer, the director of Creative Dreams, includes this quote from Bob Pierce in her email: “You can’t help everybody but you can help a few. It’s that few that God will hold us accountable for.”

I’d love to see you guys at the show; we will melt faces in the name of rock and a good cause. See you there.

To all who came to Hotel Cafe last Thursday night, thank you so much! The show was so much fun and you guys made it a success. We had people from all over make it out to the show, even from as far as Apple Valley! We are already planning the next show, so stay tuned! One of our friends got a video from the end of the show, enjoy! Thank you so much for your support.